Stamp-canceling device.



J. UNGER. STAMP GANOELING DEVICE. APPLICATION-TILED MAR. 4. 1910.

Patented Nov. 8', 1910.

PATENT @TFTEE.

JOSEPH UNGER, OF IVIGKEESPOR'I, PENNSYLVANIA.

STAMP-CANOELING DEVICE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J osnri-r UNGER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mo- Keesport, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Stamp-Canceling Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of stamp cancelers in which by the action of a spiral stem within a guide nut, or its equivalent carried by a handle, the head or the face of the abrading instrument is rotated by the act of pressing the instrument against the stamp and is afterward automatically returned to its position by means of a spring contained within the handle. As heretofore constructed the spring has been so combined with the rotating part of the instrument as to cause great friction between the parts, thus necessitating the application of great force in using the stamp and rendering its operation defective, uncertain and unreliable.

The object therefore of the invention is to remove the above stated difficulties and to provide a simple, durable and efficient device of this character and one in which the movable parts within the handle will be readily accessible for their removal and care and for the replacing thereof by new parts.

A further object of the invention is to provide a construction wherein the spring for rotating the operating stem will have a bearing at its lower end upon a nonrotatable element carried by the spindle, which element will also serve to form a vertically movable head which will guide the inner end of the operating stem and also be a means for retaining the stem from withdrawing from the handle.

The invention consists, in combining the spring and rotary spiral stem by means of an interposed sleeve or combination of sleeve and. washer, rotating freely on the end of the spiral stein whereby the friction between the spring and the stem when in operation is reduced to a minimum and the spring is prevented from cramping, twisting, or failing in any degree to act.

The invention also consists in certain other novel features in the arrangement and construction of parts, all as hereinafter described and specifically set out in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawing,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 4., 1910.

Patented Nov. 8, 1910*.

Serial No. 547,361.

illustrating the invention and representing a vertical section taken through the device with portions not shown in section, 1 indicates a hollow handle having a cap portion 2 adapted to be screwed on to the handle proper. \Vithin the lower end of the handle there is provided a guide nut or block 3 which is firmly driven into the bore of the handle so as to be a permanent part thereof, and the handle is reinforced as usual by the ferrule a. Preferably this ferrule is formed with a lateral projection 5 carrying a marker disk 6 for applying a post mark to envelops simultaneously with the operation of stamp canceling.

\Vorking back and forth within the guide nut 3, which is spiral in its bore, is the screw stem 7 which carries at its lower end the stamp-abrading disk 8, detachably secured to the stem by means of the screw 0 which is preferably screwed within the end of the stem and projects therefrom to receive the abrading disk. At its upper end the stem T is provided with a cylindrical portion 10 upon which a bearing sleeve 11 is mounted and in which sleeve the cylindrical port-ion 10 is freely rotatable. The portion 10 is provided with a groove 12 into which projects from the sleeve 11 a pin 13 by which provision the stem 7 is maintained against withdrawing from the sleeve thereby forming of the sleeve a retaining head to prevent the withdrawal of the stem from the guide nut 3 by outward movement of the stem. The upper or inner end of the sleeve is rabbeted, as shown at let, so as to fit within the lower end of the spiral spring 15 and furnish a bearing therefor that will have no rotation, and the upper end of the spring is adapted to partially receive and bear against the rounded head of the screw 16 located in the center of the cap portion of the handle, and by which bearing the spring is maintained centrally of the handle. At the lower end of the sleeve and around the cylindrical portion 10 of the stem is provided a loose washer 17 which fits loosely within the bore of the handle and is shouldered on the cylindrical portion 10 of the stem, which construction provides a bearing for the lower end of the sleeve to reduce friction and thereby allow the spring to better control the sleeve. Furthermore, the washer is raised within the handle during the canceling operation and by contacting with the sides of the bore serves to guide the stem through its spiral guide nut, as looseness of the stem within the said nut is desirable as the device operates through a hammer like blow given by it to the stamp to be canceled.

From the foregoing it will be seen that a construction has been provided which is extremely simple, being composed of but few parts, that provision is made for performing the abrading operation quickly and that the assembnng of the parts is such that by the simple unscrewing of the abrading disk and the cap portion of the handle the stem and its associated parts can be readily removed and replaced.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a device of the character described, the combination with a hollow handle having a spiral guide fixed therein at one end and a removable cap portion at the other end, of a spiral stem working within said spiral guide and carrying an abrading surface, means carried by said stem at its inner end to prevent withdrawal of the stem by outward movement, and a spring interposed between the handle cap and stem, whereby the stem and the other parts within the handle may be readily removed by movement through the cap opening, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination with a hollow handle having a spiral guide fixed therein, of a spiral stem working within said guide and provided at its outer end with an abrading surface and at its inner end with a cylindrical extension, a sleeve fitted on said cylindrical extension so to allow free rotation of the latter without being itself rotated thereby, a washer adapted to loosely fit the bore of the handle, interposed between the sleeve and a bearing face of the said stem, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing wit- 1166568.

JOSEPH UNGER.

lVitnesses HUGH M. STERLING, IIARRY F. LOWENSTEIN. 

